As a common indoor ornamental plant, orchids need repotting during their growth process, and watering after repotting is a very important step. Correct watering methods can not only ensure the healthy growth of orchids but also beautify the home environment. Let's take a detailed look at how to water correctly.
I. Observe Before Watering
Before watering, we need to observe the soil moisture of the orchid. Generally, if the soil surface is dry but the deep soil is still moist, there is no need to water. If the soil is dry and loose, you can gently tap the bottom of the pot to see if there are air gaps; if so, it needs watering.
II. Pay Attention When Watering
When watering, we should try to avoid pouring water directly on the leaves of the plant, as this can cause the leaves to rot and get sick. We can pour water around the pot, allowing the water to slowly seep into the soil to avoid excessive water flow.
III. The Amount of Water Should Be Appropriate
The amount of water should be adjusted according to the size of the pot, the size of the plant, and the soil moisture. Generally, the amount of water each time should be about 1/3 to 1/2 of the pot's volume. At the same time, if the soil is very dry, you can first pour some water on the surface, wait for 5-10 minutes, and then gradually increase the amount of water.
IV. Master the Watering Frequency
The watering frequency of orchids should be adjusted according to different seasons and growth stages. In spring and summer, due to higher temperatures, watering is usually needed once a week, while in winter with lower temperatures, the frequency can be appropriately reduced. In addition, if the orchid is in a growth or flowering period, the watering frequency also needs to be increased.
V. Pay Attention to the Water Temperature
The temperature of the water should be the same as or slightly higher than the room temperature. If you use cold water to water the orchid, it will make the orchid uncomfortable, thus affecting its growth and flowering.
VI. The following points also need to be noted when watering orchids:
1. Avoid overwatering to affect the respiration and growth of the root system.
2. Avoid using water that is too hot to prevent scalding the plant.
3. Avoid using water that is too cold to prevent affecting the normal growth of the plant.
4. Avoid watering too frequently to prevent affecting the root system's normal absorption of nutrients.
VII. Watering Precautions in Winter
1. Avoid excessive humidity in winter, which can lead to root rot in orchids.
2. Avoid excessively low temperatures in winter, which will make the orchids uncomfortable, thus affecting growth and flowering.
3. In cold weather, try to reduce the frequency and amount of watering to avoid the soil becoming too moist.
VIII. How to Ensure the Effectiveness of Watering?
To ensure the effectiveness of watering, we can check the soil moisture again after watering. If it still feels relatively dry, you can add a little more water. In addition, in spring and summer, you can place the pot in a well-ventilated place to promote soil evaporation and plant respiration.
IX. Choice of Watering Time
Generally, morning and evening are more suitable times for watering. In the morning, the soil has not yet been directly exposed to the sun, which can ensure that water fully penetrates the soil; in the evening, the temperature has already dropped, which can avoid excessive water loss.
X. Fertilizer Water Can Be Used
During the watering process, we can also add some appropriate fertilizer water to increase the nutritional content of the orchid. However, it should be noted that the use of fertilizer water should be moderate to avoid excessive absorption by the orchid's root system leading to nutrient excess.
XI. Avoid Overwatering Causing Waterlogging
If you water too much, the waterlogged soil in the pot will cause the orchid's roots to rot, and in severe cases, it can lead to the death of the plant. When watering, pay attention to avoid waterlogging.
XII. Watering Methods for Different Types of Orchids Vary
Different types of orchids have different watering requirements. For example, Oncidium and Phalaenopsis in the Orchidaceae family need to pour out the water from the bottom of the pot after watering; whereas Cyclamen and "wind-blown grass" orchids in the Orchidaceae family need to have water poured on their leaves to ensure healthy plant growth.
XIII. Avoid Watering on Overcast and Rainy Days
On overcast and rainy days, the soil is already very moist, so there is no need to water. Watering at this time will instead cause the soil to become too moist, affecting the plant's growth and health.
XIV. Avoid Direct Sunlight
During high-temperature summer weather, direct sunlight on the pot can cause the soil to become excessively dry. At this time, you can place the orchid in a well-ventilated place to avoid direct sunlight.
XV.
In the watering process after repotting orchids, we need to pay attention to observing soil moisture, avoiding overwatering, and choosing the right watering time to ensure the normal growth and health of the plant. At the same time, it is also necessary to adopt targeted watering methods according to different types of orchids, so that the orchids can grow healthily and vigorously.